Chapter 24.2

Chapter 24 – Part 2

With a subdued smile, I nodded.

Without a doubt, Adeline had a knack for touching a nerve.

What a woman she was, to slyly flaunt how close she was to a certain man right in front of his wife’s face.

Anyone who had less control over their emotions wouldn’t have been able to resist keeping their mouth shut at this.

However, if you say anything back to her like this, people would think that you’re a strange person for getting angry over nothing.

Since it’s Adeline we’re talking about here, she would respond with either tears or with the classic line, ‘Did I do something wrong? I’m so sorry’, and somehow paint the other person as the one in the wrong.

At first, I also got choked up whenever Adeline pulled that stunt with me, but after I had given up completely, I took it all in stride.

Rather, now I feel a little sorry for her.

It’s not at all easy to be as persistent as her.

“It seems like trade with the East is very active these days.”

And so, as usual, I changed the subject instead of taking the bait like she wanted.

Still with a sweet smile on her face, Adeline replied.

“It’s all thanks to House Delacroix. It’s because of them that we finally have access to the shortest trading routes between the eastern and western continents.”

“Truly? That’s amazing.”

House Delacroix was a ducal household with a lot of wealth and riches to their name. They were of course based in the Kingdom of Fraunces, but their businesses also dominated the entire Europa Continent.

Delacroix’s territory, Dornach, was located at the southernmost region of Europa, where crops grew abundantly due to its agreeable climate and fertile land. It also continues to be the major trading hub where the southern and eastern continents often did business.

And, above all, the ‘rifts’ were rare in the southern region of Europa.

That’s why Delacroix didn’t have to invest heavily in their military, unlike other households.

Perhaps that might be why, there’s a rumor going around that House Delacroix’s elemental power was weak, unlike the other noble households. However, it’s unknown whether this rumor was true or not.

In any case, outside the few countries in the southern and eastern continents that were hostile towards the Fraunces Kingdom which would launch attacks to invade, the Delacroix territory was very peaceful.

It’s a widely accepted truth in the world that it was much better to fight political battles rather than going out to battle monstrous beasts that come out of the rifts, which no one knew when or where would appear next.

It was for this reason that Delacroix’s territory, Dornach, was always so eye-catching. Of course, that was also the case for my father, Duke Everett.

I’m sure that if House Valentino were to form a secret alliance with another noble household, the first choice would be House Delacroix.

Valentino had already taken a hit from Everett, and it was only a matter of time until Delacroix was next.

The one thing these two households had in common was that they’re in the same boat in this regard.

Adeline’s family, Alvinith, was out of the question. Of course, Adeline’s personal feelings were another matter.

For generations, House Alvinith trained in magic rather than their elemental spirits, and they continued to be reluctant to engage in convoluted political battles.

In a good way, you could call them neutral.

In a bad way, you could say they’re fence sitters.

Didn’t they say that the most blistering seat in hell was reserved for those who remained neutral during the times of moral crises? Alvinith might one day pay the price if they continue to remain gray.

‘Well, maybe the Royal Family would take that seat instead of House Alvinith, but…’

King Roderick, the current reigning, was being played like a fiddle by Duke Everett, and he was just leaving state affairs aside without properly doing his job.

If Kazef Everett was the source of all evil, then King Roderick himself was a servant of evil.

After Queen Ellemiel had killed all ten of the royal concubines, King Roderick instead called many high-end courtesans from outside the palace, indulged in them, and then sent them back out.

Of course, it was a matter of fact that the supplier of these courtesans was none other than Duke Everett. This kind of work was nothing short of ridicule.

“As for House Delacroix, I recently met Miss Rozenne Delacroix at a garden party along Cowen Street. You’ve met her before, haven’t you, Lily?”

“Yes. I’ve met her at least once.”

We just greeted each other briefly. Ducal Lady Delacroix was much too energetic that it didn’t seem like we’d get along well. She seems so tiring to be around…

“But you know, His Highness the Crown Prince also attended that party.”

“Aha, I see.”

I now have a rough idea of how she’s trying to usher in the next topic. I answered moderately enough, hiding my annoyance.

“His Highness announced that he’ll be holding a hunting party soon, but he also mentioned that the Duke and Duchess of Valentino will be joining us. Is that true?”

There it is.

It’s clear that she’s sneakily trying to ask, ‘Have you really started getting along better with Theo, or do you just have some formal reason to attend the event together?’

Perhaps with pity in my eyes as I looked at Adeline, who was trying so hard, I opened my lips to speak.

“It’s just as His Highness said. At the hunting party—”

But at that moment.

Knock, knock—

Someone knocked on the door, and a familiar voice called from the other side.

“Madam, it is Jenna. There’s something urgent I must tell you.”

A slight wave of apprehension came over me. I glanced at Adeline for a moment, then turned towards the door.

“What is it?”

Without any delay, an answer came back.

“Your presence is needed at the Avoridge Hall right now, Madam. Missus Seymour returned about ten minutes ago, but Charlotte… She is being interrogated by the Missus right now.”

“……?”

At the unexpected turn of events, my eyes grew wide. I asked Adeline for her understanding and quickly scrambled to my feet.